An earlier post suggested a route up Illilouette Creek to the Ottoway Lakes which sounds awesome. What are your thoughts on the trail just to the west that goes to Buena Vista Lakes? The map topography seems to show more exposure allowing for more snow melt possibly making the trail accessible at higher elevations. Would you recommend this trail as an alternative?

You might take a look in Google Earth* instead to get a better feel for the forest cover. Both trails are primarily forest walks once you clear the old burn area near Glacier Point. The Ottoway route starts getting into thinner trees and having more open views about a mile east of the Merced Pass Lakes. From there the views are great over Red Peak Pass and well down the other side. I'd go the Ottoway route.

(* To turn on the Yosemite trails in GE, go to Layers, More, Parks/Rec Areas, US Nat Parks, and click the box next to trails.)

What you will really be up against are creek crossings - there are a number of those on the way to Ottoway from Glacier Point/Mono Meadow. Right now with the melt in full force it would be suicidal.... Wait a few weeks and it will be better. The park is advising against trying to cross Ilillouette Creek at this time.

From Glacier Point Road you have to cross Bridalveil Creek and then Chilnualna Creek to get to Buena Vista Lake. To get to Ottaway Lakes, you have to cross Illilouette Creek. All of them will be absolutely roaring right now. Not fun. Not safe.

balzaccom wrote:From Glacier Point Road you have to cross Bridalveil Creek and then Chilnualna Creek to get to Buena Vista Lake. To get to Ottaway Lakes, you have to cross Illilouette Creek. All of them will be absolutely roaring right now. Not fun. Not safe.

Couldn't you take the Panorama Trail from GP and cross Illilouette Creek using the bridge, then go up that way? Of course, there will be other crossings to deal with, right?

Definitely wait until at least mid july to even think about it. See where things are, start planning then and maybe consider going all the way up and then over Red Peak Pass when the time is right ie: not tons of snow, crazy runoff, big water that'll probably turn you around right then and there. Find that balance between what are now early season conditions with all the hassles and dangers involved and catching that sweet spot right after the mosquitoes taper off, but when it's still green and with abundant water. That's an amazing hike from the Mono Meadow trailhead and finally exiting the Valley on the other side. People all want to see the big icons but end up all bunched into too small an area, sure they're cool, but to me the essence of the Sierras and Yosemite, and getting out into them, is up there.